1997 Fifty Pence

Both the old larger type and this smaller 50p were made dated 1997, however the larger one was only made for year sets and this smaller one was the only one that was circulated in large numbers. For the larger 1969 – 1997 50p coins, see here.

This is the first smaller 50p and also the only one with the Raphael Maklouf portrait of the Queen, as this was changed in 1998.

The obverse portrait of the Queen by Raphael Maklouf was used on all UK coinage from 1985 to 1997 and was the third portrait of the Queen used on coinage.

The reverse design, by Christopher Ironside, shows Briannia seated. Britannia had appeared on at least one British coin denomination since the 1670s, and in fact long before that there were Roman coins showing the word ‘BRITANNIA’ and the helmeted female representation of Britannia to celebrate the Roman capture of Britain.

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